March 24, 2015: N.F.L. May Move Pro Bowl to Brazil, New Event Marketing Strategy for WWE, What Happened to the White House Florist?

1. N.F.L. MAY MOVE PRO BOWL TO BRAZIL: The N.F.L.’s Pro Bowl—lagging baseball and basketball in buzz for its all-star game and facing declining TV ratings—is considering moving the event to Brazil. Fox Sports: “There are several reasons Brazil is under consideration as the first non-U.S. site for the Pro Bowl. The NFL has drawn growing interest in that South American country from a television viewership and participation standpoint, which appeals to a league looking to expand its international interests. The NFL also believes Brazil could hold allure to participating players as an exotic locale and unique experience.” http://foxs.pt/1IldrPQ

2. NEW EVENT MARKETING STRATEGY FOR WWE: WWE and NBCUniversal have a new advertising and marketing strategy that will better align their efforts in television ad sales and digital and social marketing, a trend among networks. Variety: “The WWE properties may take on greater luster as TV networks find new power in live events and sports-themed content. … NBCU and WWE will burnish four ‘tentpole’ efforts that aim to provide advertisers something they can align their pitches with each quarter: a monthlong build-up to the WWE’s annual ‘WrestleMania’ event; the ‘Slammys’ award program, which will move from the fourth quarter to the first quarter to be more a part of awards season; a focus on fathers; and a theme centered on young fans.” http://bit.ly/1xu67AH

3. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WHITE HOUSE FLORIST?: The White House’s head florist, responsible for arrangements at events such as state dinners, has quietly left her post and returned to her private floral design business. The under-the-radar departure has many East Wing watchers speculating what happened. Washington Post: “The recent exit of head florist Laura Dowling, who’d been in the job since 2009, has been a much quieter affair. So hush hush, in fact, that most outside of 1600 Penn knew nothing about it. There’s still no official comment on why Dowling is no longer at the White House, but according to a source with close ties to current residence staffers, she was escorted from the building on Friday Feb. 13.” http://wapo.st/1y033XS

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Cold Press, a juice and salad bar, will open in Harvard Square next month. The eatery will offer juices, smoothies, and acai bowls along with soups, salads, and sandwiches.

CHICAGO:  The Puppy Mill Project will host its “Mothers in the Mills” event at Moonlight Studios on May 9. The event will offer live entertainment, a dinner buffet, and sketches by artist Rosemary Fanti.

LOS ANGELES:  In its sixth year as an official Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival sponsor, H&M will host a multisensory installation for this year's festival attendees. Called “Transformation,” the immersive experience will be housed in a 40- by 80-foot tent.

Jason Hull has been appointed director of sales for meetings and conventions for AEG Facilities.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Arena Americas, an event rental company, provided more than 90 tents and structures for the Miami International Boat Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center in February.

NEW YORK:  NPR will host a podcast upfront—which the media organization says is a first-of-its-kind event—April 29 at Le Poisson Rouge.

The Tony awards announced a three-year partnership with Playbill, which will produce the official souvenir program book to be distributed in Radio City Music Hall on the evening of the awards.

This Is It StageWorks has hired Mike Aug as director of sales. He previously served as vice president of sales and marketing for Event Tech in Baltimore

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO:  TR Fire Grill is a new concept from Tony Roma's brand. The first location opened in Orlando March 3 and has seating for 230 people. The company plans to expand nationwide.

TORONTO:  Starlight Children’s Foundation will host its 20th annual gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on April 18. The event will have a Roaring Twenties theme.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Atlanta-based meeting management, convention housing, and travel services firm Connections Housing has named Alicia Perez-Arrieta director of client management. She will work from the company’s Washington office.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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